Riggins named OVC's 'Incoming Sleeper' by ESPN

Nov 04, 2011

Georgia product could be important for Golden Eagles
in 2011-12

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Media outlets have showered praise on
Tennessee Tech’s top returnees this fall, but it was freshman
forward Ryon Riggins who recently drew praise from ESPN in its Ohio
Valley Conference preview.

Mike LaPlante, writing for ESPN’s Recruiting Nation,
called Riggins the “Incoming Sleeper” in the league
this season, saying the Golden Eagles have reaped the rewards of
establishing a recruiting presence in the state of Georgia by
landing Riggins.

Riggins is a 6-9 product of North Gwinnett High School in
Norcross, Ga., in the metropolitan Atlanta area.

LaPlante says Riggins fits the Golden Eagles’ system
perfectly and could become an important role player in Tech’s
hunt for an OVC championship this season.

“(Riggins) needs to develop physically and become more
aggressive,” the report reads. “Although he has an
unassuming game, he is an intriguing prospect because he is a long,
bouncy athlete that covers a lot of ground and is surprisingly
skilled. With his face-up 4-man skills, Riggins fits the Tech
system perfectly.

“If he can adjust to the college game quickly, he should
find his way into some serious playing time and could end up
playing an important role in Tennessee Tech’s run toward an
OVC title and the NCAA Tournament bid that goes with it.”

Riggins averaged a double-double throughout his high school
career, scoring 11 points and grabbing 12 rebounds per game as a
two-year letterman at power forward and center. He was named
co-captain of his team as a senior.

Tech opens its season Friday, Nov. 11 at Miami (Fla.) with a 6
p.m. CST tip-off. The Golden Eagles play their first home game
Tuesday, Nov. 15 against Reinhardt College at 7 p.m.

Season tickets for the 2011-12 Golden Eagle home schedule are
currently on sale at the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center,
or by calling (931) 372-3940.